Conference of Defence Associations Institute

CDA Institute
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  • Politics

The CDA Institute's programming convenes experts in Canadian defence, international security, and politics to provide nuanced discussion about current and ongoing issues in defence and security. https://cdainstitute.ca/

  1. Why Canada is Buying a Swedish Surveillance Aircraft Over U.S. Bids

    5d ago

    Why Canada is Buying a Swedish Surveillance Aircraft Over U.S. Bids

    This week, Canada formally entered negotiations with Saab to purchase the GlobalEye airborne early warning system. The announcement comes amid growing political tensions between Ottawa and Washington, a review of the Lockheed Martin F-35 program, and broader efforts by the government to diversify Canada’s defence partnerships beyond the United States. In this episode of the Expert Series, MGen (Ret'd) Colin Keiver examines the strategic, operational, and industrial implications of Canada’s potential GlobalEye purchase and what it could mean for the future of continental defence cooperation. He discusses the role airborne early warning aircraft play in NORAD and Arctic surveillance, the operational differences between Saab’s GlobalEye and competing American systems such as Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail, and the extent to which political considerations may be influencing procurement decisions. The episode also explores the tension between Canada’s push to diversify defence relationships and the enduring realities of geography, interoperability, and integration with the United States. Keiver argues that while deeper partnerships with European allies may strengthen Canadian industrial capacity and resilience, effective continental defence will continue to depend on close military and technological coordination with Washington. ➡️ LinkedIn:   / cdainstitute  ➡️ Twitter/X: https://x.com/CDAInstitute ➡️ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cdainstitute... ➡️ Instagram: https://bit.ly/42ih7SU 📬 Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest defence and security updates delivered to your inbox: https://bit.ly/4fQ2wDV The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security. Learn more: CDA Institute

    25 min
  2. The Suspension of the Canada-U.S. Defence Board: What it Means for Trust and Defence Cooperation

    6d ago

    The Suspension of the Canada-U.S. Defence Board: What it Means for Trust and Defence Cooperation

    The Permanent Joint Board on Defence (PJBD), a long-standing but low-profile mechanism for Canada–U.S. defence coordination, has recently been suspended, raising questions about the state of institutional dialogue underpinning North American security cooperation. While operational channels such as NORAD remain in place, the pause in this advisory forum has prompted broader reflection on how Canada and the United States manage strategic coordination and trust. On this week’s episode of the Expert Series, Dr. Chris Sands examines the suspension of the PJBD and what it signals for Canada–U.S. defence relations at a time of growing political strain and evolving security priorities. He discusses the role of institutional mechanisms in shaping Canada–U.S. defence cooperation beyond day-to-day military operations, and how forums like the PJBD have historically supported alignment on emerging threats and capability planning. The episode also explores the implications of the suspension for bilateral trust and predictability, and considers whether increasingly transactional approaches risk weakening the informal and institutional foundations of continental defence cooperation. ➡️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cdainstitute/ ➡️ Twitter/X: https://x.com/CDAInstitute ➡️ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cdainstitute... ➡️ Instagram: https://bit.ly/42ih7SU 📬 Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest defence and security updates delivered to your inbox: https://bit.ly/4fQ2wDV The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security. Learn more: CDA Institute

    34 min
  3. Will Expanded Defence Investment Agency Powers Streamline Procurement?

    May 15

    Will Expanded Defence Investment Agency Powers Streamline Procurement?

    The Liberal government plans to significantly expand the newly created Defence Investment Agency (DIA), giving it broader authority beyond standard military procurement and a wider role that could touch other areas of the economy. These plans were outlined in a ways and means motion in the House of Commons and formalized in May 2026 through the Defence Investment Agency Act, part of the Budget 2025 Implementation Act No. 2. The Act establishes the DIA as a stand-alone entity led by a dedicated minister and CEO, amends the Defence Production Act to broaden its scope, and grants the agency powers to streamline procurement, support domestic industry, and enhance national security. On this week’s Expert Series, Jody Thomas, former National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister and former Deputy Minister of Defence; Troy Crosby, former Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel) at the Department of National Defence; and Dr. Philippe Lagassé, Barton Chair at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, examined the DIA’s proposed expansion, ministerial oversight, and legislative updates, discussing whether these changes could drive meaningful procurement reform and shift a long-standing culture of overcautiousness. ➡️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cdainstitute/ ➡️ Twitter/X: https://x.com/CDAInstitute ➡️ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cdainstitute... ➡️ Instagram: https://bit.ly/42ih7SU 📬 Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest defence and security updates delivered to your inbox: https://bit.ly/4fQ2wDV The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security. Learn more: CDA Institute

    57 min
  4. What Does Canada Gain by Hosting NATO-Backed Defence, Security and Resilience Bank?

    May 8

    What Does Canada Gain by Hosting NATO-Backed Defence, Security and Resilience Bank?

    As countries place greater focus on defence spending, supply chain security, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure, NATO allies and partner nations are moving forward with plans for the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, or DSRB. The proposed institution would provide long-term financing for defence, security, and resilience projects across allied countries. Canada has played a leading role in the discussions and has been selected to host the bank’s future headquarters, with several Canadian cities being considered. Today, Jeff Tasseron and Jonathan Berkshire Miller join us to explore what the DSRB could mean for Canada, NATO allies, and the future of defence and security financing. Jeff Tasseron is a retired colonel and fellow with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute (CGAI). Jonathan Berkshire Miller is Co-Founder and Principal at Pendulum Geopolitical Advisory, part of the Pendulum Group. ➡️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cdainstitute/ ➡️ Twitter/X: https://x.com/CDAInstitute ➡️ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cdainstitute... ➡️ Instagram: https://bit.ly/42ih7SU 📬 Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest defence and security updates delivered to your inbox: https://bit.ly/4fQ2wDV The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security. Learn more: CDA Institute

    43 min
  5. One Year In: Has Carney Strengthened Canada’s Defence?

    May 3

    One Year In: Has Carney Strengthened Canada’s Defence?

    As the Mark Carney government marks one year since its April 28, 2025 election, its defence agenda has been defined by a sharp increase in military spending, major procurement and procurement-system reforms, and a series of new industrial and international defence partnerships in response to a more contested global security environment and ongoing pressure from the United States under Donald Trump. This includes efforts to rebuild CAF readiness, accelerate capability delivery, and expand Canada’s defence industrial base. On this week's episode of the Expert Series, CDA Institute Chair and former CDS, General (Ret'd) Tom Lawson reflects on the first year of the Carney government’s defence agenda and its most consequential announcements, assessing whether they are strengthening Canada’s defence capability in practice. He also analyzes this week's spring economic update and the launch of the Canada Strong Fund. ➡️ LinkedIn:   / cdainstitute  ➡️ Twitter/X: https://x.com/CDAInstitute 📬 Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest defence and security updates delivered to your inbox: https://bit.ly/4fQ2wDV The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security. The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security. Learn more: CDA Institute

    33 min
  6. How Are Emerging Threats Reshaping Arctic Security and Continental Defence?

    Apr 24

    How Are Emerging Threats Reshaping Arctic Security and Continental Defence?

    The Arctic has become an increasingly important focus of North American defence planning due to its geographic role as the shortest route for a range of modern missile systems and its growing relevance to surveillance, maritime activity, and early-warning infrastructure. At the same time, evolving threats are placing pressure on existing continental defence arrangements, particularly the Canada–U.S. bilateral NORAD framework, to operate across multiple domains and integrate air, maritime, space, and cyber awareness more effectively. On this week’s episode of the Expert Series, Dr. Andrea Charron discusses Canada’s planned Arctic infrastructure investments, the evolving strategic importance of the Arctic in North American defence planning, and continental security cooperation. She examines the Arctic as a key approach corridor for modern missile systems, the importance of improved situational awareness through expanded sensing infrastructure such as over-the-horizon radar, satellites, and maritime monitoring systems, NORAD’s evolving role as the core binational Canada–U.S. command responsible for warning of air and missile threats, Greenland’s strategic significance as part of the early warning architecture, and the need for clearer distinctions between sovereignty and security language in policy discussions. ➡️ LinkedIn:   / cdainstitute  ➡️ Twitter/X: https://x.com/CDAInstitute 📬 Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest defence and security updates delivered to your inbox: https://bit.ly/4fQ2wDV The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security. The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security. Learn more: CDA Institute

    35 min
  7. Nordic Approaches to Total Defence

    Apr 17

    Nordic Approaches to Total Defence

    As NATO adapts to a rapidly evolving security environment following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, countries across the Nordic region are strengthening deterrence by advancing “total defence” models that integrate military capability with civilian resilience, critical infrastructure protection, and whole-of-society preparedness. On today’s episode of the Expert Series, or fellow Dr. David Borys is joined by Ambassador Signe Burgstaller, Ambassador of Sweden to Canada; Ambassador Hanna-Leena Korteniemi, Ambassador of Finland to Canada; Mr. Jon-Åge Øyslebø, Deputy Head of Mission to the Embassy of Norway to Canada; and Ambassador Nikolaj Harris, Ambassador of Denmark to Canada; to discuss how each country operationalizes total defence in practice, from national resilience systems and public preparedness to civil-military coordination and crisis planning. The conversation explores how these approaches are rooted in history, geography, and evolving threat perceptions, while increasingly converging across the Nordic region. We examine how the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO has reshaped operational planning in Northern Europe, strengthening integration across the Arctic and Baltic regions and enabling more coordinated defence postures. The panel also highlights the growing importance of joint exercises, interoperability, and multinational cooperation with partners like Canada in the High North. ➡️ LinkedIn:   / cdainstitute  📬 Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest defence and security updates delivered to your inbox: https://bit.ly/4fQ2wDV The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security. Learn more: CDA Institute

    44 min
  8. Total Defence in the Baltics

    Apr 9

    Total Defence in the Baltics

    As NATO adapts to a rapidly evolving security environment following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, countries across the Nordic-Baltic region are strengthening deterrence by adopting a “total defence” approach that integrates military capability with civilian resilience, economic stability, and societal preparedness. On today’s episode of the Expert Series, Ambassador Egidijus Meilūnas, Ambassador of Lithuania to Canada; Ambassador Margus Rava, Ambassador of Estonia to Canada; and Colonel Oskars Kudlis, Defence Attache of Latvia to Canada, joined us to discuss how Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania operationalize whole-of-society defense, the enduring threat posed by Russia alongside growing hybrid challenges, and how NATO’s posture in the region has shifted from forward presence to a more robust forward defense model. We examine the role of conscription, reserve forces, and civilian readiness in building national resilience, as well as the importance of interoperability and multinational coordination across NATO allies. The panel also explores evolving regional dynamics, including the strategic implications of the Baltic Sea becoming increasingly NATO-aligned, and highlights Canada’s leadership in Latvia through the Enhanced Forward Presence mission, alongside opportunities to deepen cooperation in defence industry, Arctic security, cyber defence, and critical infrastructure protection. ➡️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cdainstitute/ ➡️ Twitter/X: https://x.com/CDAInstitute 📬 Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest defence and security updates delivered to your inbox: https://bit.ly/4fQ2wDV The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security. The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security. Learn more: CDA Institute

    45 min
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The CDA Institute's programming convenes experts in Canadian defence, international security, and politics to provide nuanced discussion about current and ongoing issues in defence and security. https://cdainstitute.ca/

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